Matching a deep vee Lowe FS185 2012 against a pontoon Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2013 measures 22,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 3,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe FS185 2012 at 18,3 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2013 tips the scales at 248 lbs — 113 lbs less than the Lowe FS185 2012 at 135 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 150 hp for the Lowe FS185 2012 and 150 hp for the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lowe FS185 2012 carries 38 gallons versus 22 gallons in the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe FS185 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2013 could be the deciding factor.